This apple harvest salad with homemade dressing is light, refreshing, and delicious. It’s my go-to salad recipe in the late summer and fall— when apples are perfectly crisp and ripe. Made with a blend of greens, apples, cranberries, crumbled feta, chopped nuts and a homemade dressing— this salad has the perfect balance of crunch, sweetness, and flavor in every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s super easy to make. This is the perfect salad recipe to make when you’re in a pinch and are craving a fresh, light dinner or lunch. It’s as simple as chopping up the greens and apple, then mixing in your cranberries, feta, and nuts, and choice of protein. The salad dressing also takes 2 minutes to put together— simply mixing a few ingredients in a jar. It doesn’t get much easier than that— and it tastes out of this world!
- It’s versatile. What I love about this salad recipe is you can use what you have on hand. For example, I prefer to use chopped pecans in the salad, but you can toss in any chopped nuts you have in the pantry. You can substitute the feta for bleu cheese, goat cheese, or even parmesan. You can also add in chopped dates or raisins instead of the cranberries. This salad recipe is versatile and comes out absolutely delicious every time!
- You can add any protein you’d like. I personally love to fire up the grill and add grilled chicken to this apple harvest salad— but you can use any protein you’d like. Seared steak, roasted turkey, and boiled eggs are great protein options that perfectly compliment the flavors in this recipe.
- The flavor is incredible. With every bite you get the earthy flavor of mixed greens, a burst of sweetness from the apple and cranberries, saltiness from the feta cheese, and a crunch from the chopped nuts. It is the perfect blend of flavor that hits the spot every time!
Ingredients
For the Salad
- Kale, Arugula, & Mixed Lettuce: Using a mix of greens adds the perfect balanced flavor to this apple harvest salad. The kale is earthy, while the arugula adds a little spice, and the mixed lettuce brings a hydrating crunch. However, you can use any greens you have on hand! Spinach, romaine and butter lettuce are all great substitutes that will work just fine.
- Apple: I personally love adding a crispy pink lady apple or granny smith to this recipe— but you can use any type of apple you have on hand.
- Dried Cranberries: Dried cranberries add such a delicious pop of sweetness to this apple harvest salad. If you don’t have any on hand, you can substitute with raisins, or even chopped dates!
- Feta Cheese: The saltiness of the feta cheese perfectly compliments the sweetness of the apple and cranberries. Other great substitutes include bleu cheese, goat cheese, or parmesan.
- Pecans: Chopped pecans not only add healthy fats to this recipe but the perfect crunch. Feel free to substitute with any nuts you have on hand— like chopped walnuts, sliced almonds, cashews, or even pistachios.
- Protein of choice (optional): I love to add grilled chicken, roasted turkey, steak or hard boiled eggs to this apple harvest salad recipe.
For the Dressing
This is my all-time favorite all-purpose salad dressing recipe that I love to use as a dressing and a meat marinade. Check out the recipe (along with 5 different flavor variations) by clicking here!
- Avocado Oil- Avocado oil makes the perfect base to this salad dressing due to its neutral flavor. You can also substitute with olive oil which is rich in flavor and just as healthy for you!
- Coconut Aminos- Coconut aminos add the perfect sweet and salty balance to this salad dressing. I don’t recommend substituting with soy sauce or tamari as the flavor will be much more salty and rich– though you could use them if you’re in a pinch!
- Honey- I like to use raw honey for its delicate sweetness and loads of health benefits. You can substitute with maple syrup, which is another great natural sweetener option that is packed with minerals.
- Apple Cider Vinegar- Apple cider vinegar adds the perfect tang to this dressing. If you’re in a pinch, you can substitute with white or red wine vinegar, or even lemon juice!
- Garlic- Minced, fresh garlic adds the most delicious flavor to this all-purpose salad dressing recipe. If you don’t have any on hand, you can substitute with garlic powder.
- Salt & Pepper- Use a mineral-rich sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste to finish off your delicious all-purpose salad dressing.
How to Make Apple Harvest Salad With Homemade Dressing
1. In a large bowl, add the chopped kale. Drizzle with a little oil and a pinch of salt.
2. Massage the kale with your hands for 2–3 minutes until tender and slightly wilted. This improves texture and digestibility.
3. Add the arugula and mixed lettuce. Toss to combine.
4. Fold in sliced apple, cranberries, feta, and chopped pecans.
5. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the dressing ingredients until well combined.
6. Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving and toss gently to coat evenly.
7. Serve on its own or with your protein of choice. Enjoy!
Apple Harvest Salad (With Homemade Dressing)
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 2 cups kale stems removed, chopped
- 2 cups arugala
- 2 cups mixed lettuce
- 1 large apple cored, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled
- 1/2 cup pecans chopped
- 4 servings protein of choice optional
For the Dressing
- 1/4 cup avocado oil or olive oil
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add the chopped kale. Drizzle with a little oil and a pinch of salt.
- Massage the kale with your hands for 2–3 minutes until tender and slightly wilted. This improves texture and digestibility.
- Add the arugula and mixed lettuce. Toss to combine.
- Fold in sliced apple, cranberries, feta, and chopped pecans.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the dressing ingredients until well combined.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Serve on its own or with your protein of choice. Enjoy!
Notes
Want to Learn How to Make More Healthy Recipes From Scratch?
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Did you make my apple harvest salad recipe? Let me know in the comments! And to explore the latest recipes on the blog, check out my recent posts: